Blue & Grey (Butternut Actually) at it Again

 

A Union Zouave faces off against a Rebel infantryman as the bloody War Between the States continues its path of destruction through the country. 

While the Union man is wearing the fancy French stye North African uniform, the Southerner is reduced to wearing home spun clothing dyed in "Butternut. With the lack of grey dye in the South, most of the soldiers of the Confederacy were reduced to using Butternut Dye for their uniforms. Butternut came from the crushed bark of trees and nut hulls, and when used on cotton clothing, gave a soft brown hue to the clothes.

While their uniforms vary greatly their weapons are basically the same, the .58 cal. muzzle loading rifled cap and ball musket. The muskets .58 cal. "Minie Ball" could bring death to a target hundreds of yards away. While many older as well as the latest repeating firearms were used in the war, the rifled muzzle loader continued to be the main infantry weapon of both sides.

These are old 1970's metal models that I recently found in one of my bits boxes.

Living History War Between the States Style

 Did a little presentation this week for my 8th grades on what life was like for a Union soldier in 1863.

This is my 38 year of school presentations to Elementary-Middle-High and College students and adults in addition to countless reenactments. 

US Cavalry, Spanish War Ready

Three troopers of the 3rd US Cavalry Regiment practice for the upcoming campaign vs Spain in Cuba.
 

These are metal 25mm Mini Figs that I painted in the 1980's.

Massed Battery - July 3, 1863

As a prelude to the most famous attack of the War Between the States, "Pickets Charge," the massed artillery batteries (more than 140 cannon in all) of the Army of Northern Virginia bombarded the Union lines at Gettysburg.

Most of the cannon were 12 pounder smooth bore and a mixed bag of rifled artillery pieces.  The ensuing barrage was the greatest the Southern forces ever attempted.

Unfortunately the gunners largely overshot the main Union lines and the hail of shot was largely ineffective at weakening the forward infantry units.  The Rebel infantry attacked, the "High Watermark" of the Confederacy was reached as was the key turning point of the War.

The actions of the massed battery has been largely forgotten as it was over shadowed by the famous disaster of Pickets Charge.

These are 15mm metal pieces from Heritage Miniatures. I painted them in the late 1970's.

1st Cavalry on Patrol

On the Western frontier the peace of a  patrol could be shatered in a moment by an Indian raid.

Such an event has just occured to these troopers of the 1st Cavalry Regiment.

Returning fire at the gallop, the men attempt to out run their attackers.

The officer in the front with his sword drawn would have been unusual as it was the pratice of the cavalry to leave their swords in barracks when on western partol.  But officers had the privilege to do as they wanted-RHIP (Rank Has Its Privileges) as they say.

These metal 25mm pieces are from Minifig, I paointed them in the 1980's.

Tiger Zouave

On the eve of the War Teen the States, the regimental standard bearer of the Lousiana Tiger Zouaves awaits his flag.

I painted this 25mm metal piece from Hinchcliffe in the 1980's.

Here Come The Marines

Marine re-enforcements for the beleaguered defenders of Peking in 1900 (last year of the 19th Century) pass a makeshift defense on the march from the coast to the Chinese capital.

Pulled from the ships companies of the Asian squadron, this ad-hoc unit is part of the 6000 man allied force put together to rescue the legations trapped by the "Boxers Rebellion."

Lt. Max Kornors leads his small patrol with thoughts of glory, and promotion, running in his head.

While the Marines in Peking were armed with 6mm Winchester-Lee's, 1st Marine regiment relief troops were armed with .30 Krag-Jorgensens while the ships detachments were still armed with the old .45-70 Trapdoor Springfields...talk about a headache for the quartermaster (page 158 "The Marines," by the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation). These men represent the ships detachments, hence their makeshift equipment, and armed with Trapdoors (or in a pinch the straight pull Winchester-Lees's if the scenario calls for them).

These 28mm metal pieces are from Artizan Design.

Here come the Marines WIP

Re-enforcements for the beleaguered defenders of Peking in 1900 (last year of the 19th Century).  While the Marines in Peking were armed with 6mm Winchester-Lee's, 1st Marine regiment relief troops were armed with .30 Krag-Jorgensens while the ships detachments were still armed with the old .45-70 Trapdoor Springfields...talk about a headache for the quartermaster (page 158 The Marines, by the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation).  These men represent the ships detachments, hence their makeshift equipment, and armed with Trapdoors (or in a pinch the straight pull Winchester-Lees's if the scenario calls for them).

28mm metal pieces from Artizan Designs.

Rebels on Watch

In the Western Theater of the War Between the States a small outpost with its watch tower is manned by a small detachment of the 1st Kentucky Regiment of the Confederate Army.

The watch tower gives a 360 degree view above the stockade walls.

When an enemy is sighted, the captain can call out commands to his command.

Overhead view of the stockade with watch tower. The tower is movable and is the first of the additions to my stockade that will change the design and use of the post.

Post 500 "Two Centuries of the USMC"

From the Shores of Tripoli to the jungles of Vietnam here stand the men of the USMC ready to fight for freedom.

Our first fought pirates in Africa, the British in 1812 and Indians in Florida, the next fought brother against brother in the War Between the States. In a hurry to reach Belleau Woods, a "Devil Dog" from the trenches of the Great War has jumped positions with the veteran of the Spanish American War.

While fighting in the Banana Wars of the 1920's and 30's, this old leather neck stops for a quick smoke with his pipe. With his Tommy Gun in hand, our next Marine is ready for service from China to Wake Island. Calling in fire support in the tropic jungles of the island hoping campaigns of World War II. this radioman does his duty in Hell on Guadalcanal; while our last in line looks for VC in the steaming jungles of South Vietnam.  Two centuries of the 236 year history of the USMC-Happy Birthday.

Here Kitty, Kitty, Kitty...

Hunting lions is a dangerous business for big game hunter Bill-Bob Thomason yet he enjoys the thrill of the chase.

Bill-Bob uses a Martini-Henry .45 cal. rifle, it has a powerful kick and great stopping power. His back up weapon is his trusty Colt .44.

Bill-Bob left the States after the failed War for Southern Independence and has chosen to lose himself in the wilds of Africa

A crack shot, Bill-Bob prides himself a a one shot, one kill hunter, he had lots of practice in the War where missing could be fatal.

Bill-Bob Thomason is a 28mm metal piece from Foundry.

Bridgehead 1812 Style

The head of a squad of US Marines in full combat kit (War of 1812 style), take this bridge.

These Marines were armed with single shot, .75 cal flintlock muskets and steel bayonets. These Marines are 28mm metal pieces from Knuckleduster.

From the Shores of Tripoli

Heading for sea duty, a squad of US Marines prepares to board ship in the early adventurous days of the new 19th Century.

They might be heading to fight the pirates of Tripoli or assert America rights in the Quasi War with France.

Perhaps the will be heading to New Orleans to stave off the British in the War of 1812 in the latter days of the Napoleonic Wars. Where ever they head the action will be hot and their mettle will be tested as they strive to uphold the honor of the Corps.

These 28mm metal pieces from Knuckleduster are the latest of my on going USMC miniatures project. If you would like to see the other USMC units from various conflicts just click on USMC Miniatures at the bottom of this post.

From the Shores of Tripoli-WIP

US Marines from the American Napoleonic Wars Era (Barbary Pirates, Quasi-French War, War of 1812)are a Work in Progress with their black primer.

These are 28mm metal pieces from Knuckleduster's 1812 The American War.

"Let's Go You Wolverines!"

Capitan Klotze leads his Michigan men into combat against the Rebs with his battle cry, "Lets go you Wolverines!"

In the War Between the States, Michigan and its neighboring states were called the Western States. Battles fought west of the Appalachian Mountains were refered to as Western battles fought by armies of the West.

Western Union Regiments preferred the soft black hat vs the kepi that was more common in Eastern raised regiments.

As with most of the infantry on both sides, these men were armed with .58 cal, single shot, "cap & ball," rifled muskets and triangular bayonets. The officers would most often carry a "cap & ball," revolver in .32-44 cal.

These are 28mm plastic pieces from Perry Miniatures.